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Melasma

Research Authors
Eman R. M. Hofny, Amira A. Abdel-Motaleb, Alaa Ghazally, Asmaa Mahmoud Ahmed, Mahmoud R. Hussein,
Research Journal
Archives of Biological and Biomedical Research
Research Publisher
NULL
Research Rank
1
Research Vol
Vol.1, No.1
Research Website
NULL
Research Year
2017
Research_Pages
NULL
Research Abstract

Melasma is a common aesthetic problem characterized by facial hyperpigmentation. It frequently affects young to middle-aged females who are Hispanic or of Asian, African or Middle Eastern descent. Its pathogenesis is still mysterious with multiple factors are being accused to play a role. Although many treatment options are currently available, melasma is difficult to cure with tendency to relapse. Melasma (a term derived from the Greek word “melas” meaning black) is a worldwide prevalent acquired disorder of hyperpigmentation that commonly affects females with Fitzpatrick skin phototypes III-V (Goh and Dlova, 1999 and Gupta et al., 2006). It is characterized by appearance of symmetrical light to dark brown spots and patches on sun exposed areas mostly the face and especially the forehead, cheeks and chin (Kang and Ortonne, 2009). Melasma is sometimes termed chloasma (derived from the Greek word “chloas” meaning green) or mask of pregnancy when it develops in pregnant females (Handel et al., 2014a).